Portable steam generator and steam iron



Sept. 18, 1951 YOUNG 2,568,104-

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR AND STEAM IRON Filed Jan. 28, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MARSHALL B. YOUNG,

A ORNEY Sept; 18, 1951 M. B. YOUNG 2,568,104

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR AND STEAM -IRON Filed Jan. 28, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m lllazaiaa :l 5'4. FIG. ll. 42 43 34 iii? 37 {12E 42 a 92 F= 92 #4 T FIG. I6.

I 1 l9 l6 4 l6 |9 33 90 a Z 9| INVENTOR kf 83 MARSHALL B. YOUNG,

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Sept. 18, 1951 M. B. YOUNG PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR AND STEAM IRON Filed Jan. 28, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheetfi INVENTOR MARSHALL B. YOUNG,

ORNEY Patented Sept. 18,1951

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR AND STEAM IRON Marshall E. Young, New York, N. Y., assignor to Floor-O-Matic, Inc;, New York, N. Y., a corporation Application January 28, 1948, Serial No. 4,741

This invention relates to improvements in elec-' trio-steam pressing irons and more particularly has reference to a device of the character described wherein two units, suitably connectedare provided. One unit comprising a stationary stand and electrically energized steam generator and the second unit comprising a hollow bodied pressing iron to which low pressure steam is fed, through a flexible tubular connection, from the said steam generator and in which an electrically energized heating element is contained within the said pressing iron to superheat thesteam after same has entered a steam chamber in said pressing iron.

An object of this invention is to provide an electric-steam pressing device of the character described wherein the steam is generated in a separate unit and is fed to the pressin iron through a flexible tube which connects the said iron with the said steam generator.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electric-steam pressing device of the character described wherein the said generator and the-said pressing iron are separately electrically ener-v gized-the first mentioned unit acting as:a steam generator and the second unit or said pressing iron being adapted to superheat the steam it re-.

ceives from the said steam generator.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electric-steam pressing device of the character described wherein means are employed for electrically heating the said pressing iron. inde-.. pendently of the steam fed to same by the said;

steam generator. A further object of this invention is-the provision in an electric-steam pressin 'device of the character described wherein the steam generator may be employed as a stand for holding the said pressing iron when same is not in use.

Another object of this invention is the provision in an electric-steam pressing device of means upon the said pressing iron for directing steam through suitable orifices in the sole or bottom plate of the said pressing iron.

A further object of this invention is the inclusion in an electric-steam pressin device of the character described of means attachable to the said pressing iron to render the same adapt-1 able for use by an ambidextrous or left handed operator. I

A further object of this invention is vision in an electric-steam pressing device of means upon the said generator for controlling the steam pressure therein and means upon the said pressing unit for controlling the superheating h Promember thereon and a manually actuated valve of operation, together with additional objects and thereto.

means also upon the said pressing unit for controlling the steam flow through the orifices in the said sole or bottom plate of said pressing iron.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of an organization in which the constituent elements are so arranged structurally and functionally as to assure improved results with materials and members which may be manufactured at reasonable cost, may be easily assembled and which will be eificient in operation with minimum wear to the parts.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description and in the claim wherein parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. In the accompanyin drawings there has been illustrated the best embodiment of the invention known to me, but such embodiment is to be regarded as typical only of many possible embodiments, and the invention is not to be limited The novel features considered characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device showing the pressing iron resting upon the steam generating unit.

Figure 2 is an end view of same and shows the pressing iron removed from the steam generator.

Figure 3 is a top or plan view of the steam generator.

- Figure 4 is a top or plan view of the pressing lIOIl.

Figure 5 is an end elevational View of a part of the steam generator.

Figure 6 is a detail of an attachment to be applied to the valve operating handle upon the pressing iron and will be hereinafter described.

, Figure '7 is a detail showing the means employed for suspending the flexible tube connection of the device.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the steam generator with part of the top broken away and having various parts disconnected therefrom.

Figure 9 is a transverse section of the steam generator taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the pressing iron with a portion of the top broken away and with parts removed therefrom.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section, in levation, taken along the line of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a transverse section taken along the line |2|2 of Figure 10. V

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail elevational view of the steam controllin valve upon the pressing 1ron.

Figure 14 is a sectional elevational view of same along line |4--|4 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional elevational view of a relief or safety valve upon the steam generator.

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along line |6-| 6 of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a plan view, partly broken away of a heating unit in the pressing iron.

Figure 18 is a side elevational view of same.

Figure 19 is a bottom view of the sole or bottom plate of the pressing iron and shows steam orifices therein.

Figure 20 is a sectional elevational view of same and is taken along line 26-20 of Figure 19.

Referring in detail to the parts designates the housing of a steam generator having an upstanding rear portion l2 and a higher raised portion |3. The said generator housing I is formed with a stand or platform |4 upon which there is adapted to rest a pressing iron connected to the said generator housing by means of a flexible tube or hose |6 attached thereto at H and at l8 to a steam chamber |9 formed in the said pressing iron |5.

The said generator housing II is formed with a water containing and steam generating chamber 20. A filler opening is provided in said housing and closed by means of a plug 2| and sealed by a washer 22. A drain olf cook 23 may be provided to drain the generator housing when necessary. A pressure indicator 24 is attached to the generator housing at 25 and at 26 a relief 'valve 21 may be attached. An immersion heater unit 28 (Figures 8 and 9) extends through the side of the said housing into the steam generating chamber 20 and is electrically connected with a thermostat in a housing 29 attached to the outside of the said generator housing. An electric current conductor 30 having a connection plug 3| upon its outer end furnishes a means for picking up current from a source of supply. A pointer knob 32 having a shaft extending into the housing 29 affords a means for controlling the heat generated b the said immersion heater unit 28.

As hereinbefore stated the hose I6 leads from the steam generating chamber 20 in the generator II to the steam receiving chamber IS in the pressing iron l5 and is best illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The said pressing iron is made up of two principal parts. An upper body section 33 within which the said steam chamber I9 is formed and a lower section 34 known as the sole or bottom plate, the two sections being securely held together by means of screws 35. The sole plate 34 has bores or channels 36 and 31 extending in V formation as shown in Figure 19. From these channels, extending through the bottom wall thereof, are orifices 38 which provide steam outlets. The openings 39 and 40 of the bores 36 and 31 respectively are threaded to receive plugs, (not shown) to permanently close same after the channels having been bored.

channels 36 and 31 with the said steam chamber IS in the pressing iron and will be hereinafter described.

Disposed and held securely in place between the said upper body section 33, in a recess 33 formed in the bottom of the said upper section 33, and the said lower section 34 is an electrical resistance unit 4| (Figures 11 and 12) which is electrically connected to a control unit 42 secured within a compartment 43 formed in approximately the central portion of the said upper sectlon 33. A pointer knob 44 connected with the said control unit 42 provides a means for regulating the electric current flow to the unit 4|. The construction of the said unit 4| is clearly shown in Figures 17 and 18. An upper and lower sheet of mica or other suitable insulating material, 45 and 46 respectively, both of which have a central opening 41, carry between them winder strips 48 and 49 also of mica and around which there is wound a continuous flat wire 50 of high electrical resistance. The ends 5| of the said re sistance wire pass through perforations 52 and 53 in the said winder strips and out through perforations 54 in the upper sheet of mica, to the control unit and to an electrical conductor 55. The two said sheets of mica and the interposed mica winding strips are securely held together by rivets or eyelets 56. The said heating unit 4| is electrically energized by means of the said conductor 55 which leads into said compartment 43 and connects with the said control unit 42 and heating unit 4|. The conductor 55 follows the line of the aforesaid hose l6, and connects with the thermostatic control in the housing 29. The free end of the said conductor being provided with a connector plug 51 which affords a means of attachment to the thermostat in the housing 29.

To one of the said pressing iron |5 there is attached, b screws 58, an upright valve member. (Figures 1, 2, 4, 13 and 14.) This valve member consists of an upright body 58' having a cut out portion 59 and an extending bracket 60 upon which there is pivotally mounted, at 6|, a lever 62 (Figures 1 and 4). The said lever 62 has, upon its extended arm, a push button member 63 adapted to be depressed by the user's thumb.

The opposite or inner end 64 of the said lever 62 freely engages the lower side of a collar 65 securely attached, by means of a set screw 66, to a needle 61 slldable in said valve body 58. A spring 68 engages around the upper portion of the said needle 61 and is disposed between the said collar 65 and an adjustable threaded nut 69 which engages through the top portion 10 of the said valve body 58. The lower end of the said needle 61 is slightly contracted to form a needle point 1| which engages upon a seat 12 normally closing a channel 12. The said channel 12' leads into a chamber 13 which connects, through a coupling member 14, to a tubular connecting member 15 in turn making a connection at 16 with the steam chamber IS in the upper section 33 of the said pressing iron l5. A channel 11, in line with the said lower contracted portion of the said needle 61 leads through a coupling 18 to a tubular connecting member 19 which in turn is connected, at 80, through a coupling 8| with the channel 31 in the aforesaid sole plate 34.

The relief valve 21 consists of a tubular member (Figures 15 and 16), havin a central upper Tubular connection is made between the said he e 82 and a narrower c centric low r o e 8 The upper end of the bore 82 is, partially threaded to receive a cap member 84 having a recessed portion 85 adapted to seat the end of a spring 86. A pin 8'! engages through the cap 84 and has a broadened end portion 88 to form a shoulder 89 and a concave seat 99 for a ball valve 9| which seats upon the upper end of the said bore 83. The said spring 86 engages around the pin 81 and is disposed between the said recess 35 in the cap 84 and the shoulder 89 upon the broadened portion 88 to normally keep the ball valve 9| upon its seat. Radially arranged channels 92 are formed at approximately the center of the valve member and provide a passage for escaping steam to the channels 92 and outer air when excessive pressure raises the ball valve against a fixed pressure of the spring 86.

The pressing iron l5 so far described is intended for use by an operator who uses the thumb of the right hand to depress the push button 63.

However, to make the device readily usable by an ambidextrous or left handed operator a bracket 93 (see Figure 6) having a push button 94 is attached to the lever to bring the said push button 99 to the opposite side of a handle 95 which is attached to the pressing iron 15 by means of the uprights or brackets 95 and 91. An adjustable set screw 98 (Figures 1 and 4) may be provided upon the lever 62 to limit the downward movement of same.

A light tension spring 99 (Figure '7) which is attached to the tied together hose l6 and conductor 55, approximately in the central point of its length, may be provided to conveniently suspend the hose and conductor out of the operators way.

To operate the device, the chamber 29 in the generator housing I I is partially filled with water, the pressing iron 15 is placed upon the platform I4 of the generator, the plug 51 is connected in the receptacle I00 upon the thermostat housing 29 (Figure 8), the plu 3| of the conductor 39 connected to current supply receptacle, and the pointer knobs 32 and 49 adjusted to the desired point. The immersion heater unit 28 begins to warm up and current passing along conductor 55 begins to energize the heating unit 41 in the pressing iron i5. When sufiiciently heated, the unit 28 will generate steam which will pass through the hose 16 to the steam receiving compartment I9 in the pressing iron [5 while at the same time the heating unit 4!, being now sufficiently heated will superheat the steam in the chamber or compartment 19 thus drying out the moisture in the steam. The iron may now be sufficiently hot for use and during its use, when it is desired to direct steam out through the orifices 38 in the sole plate 34, the operator depresses the lever 62 thereby raising the needle 61 and opening the valve H to allow the dry steam to pass from the chamber l9 through the tube 15, coupling 19, chamber 13, valve 12, channel 77, coupling 78, tube 79 and coupling 8| into channels 31 and 38 from whence the dry steam passes out through the orifices 38.

The separation of the steam generator and the pressing iron into single units provides an advantage over devices of the said type which combine the steam generator and the pressing iron in a single unit. By separating the said units as hereinbefore set forth it is possible to provide a pressing iron havin a minimum number of parts thereby decreasing its size and weight without impairing its efiiciency in use.

I claim:

A portable steam generator and pressing iron connected therewith, the said steam generator comprising a water containing hollow body, an electricall energized immersion heater unit secured to the wall of the hollow body and extending into the water compartment of same to generate steam, a conductor supplying electrical energy to the immersion heater unit, a platform forming a part of the wall of said hollow body of the steam generator, a pressin iron adapted to rest upon said platform to receive preliminary heating from the generator, the said pressing iron having a steam channel therein and comprising a sole plate and a casing secured upon said sole plate, a flexible tube connectin the pressing iron to the steam generator adapted to supply steam to the steam channel in the pressing iron, an auxiliary electrically energized heating unit upon the pressing iron to superheat and dry the steam supplied thereto by the steam generator, and a conductor having connection with the electrical source to the steam generator to supply electrical current to the said auxiliary heating unit.

MARSHALL B. YOUNG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,576,568 Brewer Mar. 16, 1926 50 1,766,603 Clark June 24, 1930 1,813,663 Danenhower July '7, 1931 1,824,379 Smith Sept. 22, 1931 2,019,954 Desure Nov. 5, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 635,125 Germany Sept. 10, 1936 

